LAHORE, Aug 19: Differences between the PML-Q and the PPP-Patriots have come to light because of which the alliance between the two ideological rivals is in danger.

PML-Q sources say that the Punjab government has denied protocol to Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, a central leader of the PPP-Patriots, and has informed the federal government about the way he is allegedly interfering in the provincial matters.

The sources further say that the PPP-Patriots is cooperating with the ARD parties in the byelections for Nazims and Naib Nazims which is against the spirit of the alliance. It is said that the federal and the Punjab cabinets may be reshuffled to show the Patriots ministers the door.

PPP-Patriot leader Makhdoom Ashfaq Ahmed, who is a provincial minister, says that it is the PML-Q which is violating the rules of the game.

According to him, Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had approved his nominee for the office of Naib Nazim in Rahim Yar Khan district, but Nazim Makhdoom Ahmed Mahood is supporting a Jamaat leader. The Nazim, he said, had also given Rs7.5 million funds to the Naib Nazim candidate which amounted to violating the party discipline.

Makhdoom Ashfaq said he could not predict the fate of the alliance between the PML-Q and the Patriots at this stage. However, he said, the situation would get clearer after the candidate for the office of Naib Nazim was finalized with the intervention of the chief minister. The PML-Q regards the Patriots’ activities in Jhang and Rahim Yar Khan districts as “friendly fire”. It is said that the Punjab chief minister has also informed the PML-Q leadership how the interior minister is interfering in the provincial matters.